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Jul 15, 2026

Creamy Chipotle Chicken Burrito

Name: Creamy Chipotle Chicken Burrito
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: ½ cup sour cream; ⅓ cup mayonnaise; 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, (plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce); 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice; Kosher salt, (as needed); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs) (cut into 1” strips); 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 cups cooked white rice; ¼ cup chopped cilantro; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice; Kosher salt, (as needed); 4 extra-large (12-inch) flour tortillas, (warmed); 1 cup guacamole; 2 cups cooked pinto beans, (warmed); 1 cup diced beefsteak tomatoes

Prep Time: 40 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

BY: Kylie Mazon-Chambers

5 from 1 vote

This creamy chipotle chicken burrito is proof that the best things you can order out are even better when you make them yourself.

creamy chipotle chicken burrito cut in half with seasoned chicken pinto beans and rice.

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I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years and this is the burrito I still dream about. The creamy chipotle chicken burrito is made with seasoned chopped chicken breasts with cilantro lime rice, pinto beans, guacamole and diced tomatoes with a chipotle crema sauce. This burrito is based on the chicken supreme burrito from 3 Amigos in Newbury Park, CA. It’s a small Mexican restaurant in a strip mall in the town my husband grew up in and anytime we would drive to visit his parents we would stop.

What sets this chicken burrito apart from the rest is the creamy chipotle sauce generously slathered in between the ingredients. For a lighter take on the sauce you can easily swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt. I’ve been on a big burrito kick lately and I recommend also checking out this bacon breakfast burrito and this vegetarian breakfast burrito.

Why You’ll Love These Burritos

Full of flavor. The creamy chipotle sauce in combination with the guacamole and seasoned chicken adds so much flavor to the burrito.

A full meal in one. The combination of rice, beans, seasoned chicken, guacamole and tomatoes is a meal all in one – no sides required (and can be easily meal prepped).

Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Chicken – I recommend seasoning the chicken and letting it marinate in the spices for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight for maximum flavor.
Chipotles in adobo – Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are smoked, dried jalapeños canned in a tangy red sauce, found in the international aisle of most grocery stores.
Mayo – To add a richness, I use creamy mayo for the base of the chipotle cream sauce to add a richness to the sauce.
Sour cream – A bit of sour cream balances the mayonnaise flavor while keeping the base of the sauce creamy.
Spices – Seasoning the chicken with a homemade spice of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne makes the chicken extra flavorful.
Guacamole – A bit of homemade guacamole adds a fresh element to the burrito. I like to add it after the rice so it isn’t on the outer layer of the burrito and gets warm when it’s heated in the pan.
Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes complement the creamy chipotle sauce.
Tortillas – If you have the time, I recommend making your own flour tortillas to level up the flavor! To make the most of store bought, I recommend looking for a Sonoran-style XL burrito size tortilla.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

creamy chipotle chicken burrito ingredient flatlay.

Swaps and Substitutions for Creamy Chipotle Chicken Burritos

Sour cream: For a lightened up version of the chipotle crema, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt. For a more traditional sauce, use a Mexican crema.
Chicken: While this recipe uses leaner chicken breasts, they can easily be swapped for more flavorful chicken thighs.
Beans: If you prefer, you can swap the pinto beans for black beans for a denser texture and meatier flavor.
Guacamole: The guacamole can be swapped for mashed avocado or sliced avocado as a shortcut.

Tips for the Best Burritos

Season the rice. Bland rice ruins the overall flavor of the burrito. Season the components separately! I season my rice with chopped cilantro, lime juice and a bit of salt before layering it in the burrito.
Warm your tortillas. A cold flour tortilla will crack and tear, causing your fillings to spill out. Warm the tortilla directly over a gas flame or in a dry skillet until it’s pliable.
Tightly wrap. Fold the sides of the tortilla in first, then roll from the bottom up with tension. The tighter the roll, the better it holds together.
Don’t overfill. The most common mistake! Overfilling makes it impossible to roll tightly and everything falls out on the first bite.

How to Prepare Creamy Chipotle Chicken Burritos in Advance

The chicken: The chicken can be marinated and cooked up to 3 to 4 days in advance and stored refrigerated. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan before assembling the burrito.
The beans: If cooking your own pinto beans, they can be made and stored refrigerated for up to 4 to 5 days in advance.
The rice: While the texture of rice is best fresh, it can be made and reheated with a bit of water to revive the rice. Stir in the cilantro and lime just before assembling the burritos for the best freshness.
Chipotle crema: The chipotle crema can be made up and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days in advance.

How to Make Creamy Chipotle Chicken Burritos (Step-by-Step)

how to make creamy chipotle sauce. — **Step 1: Make the creamy chipotle sauce.**
Add the sour cream, mayo, chipotles and adobo sauce, and lime juice to a blender or container and use an immersion blender to process until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Add to a resealable container and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 1 week in advance.

marinated seasoned chicken breasts in chili powder. — **Step 2: Marinate the chicken.**
In a medium mixing bowl stir together the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and salt. Add the chicken and toss to combine. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes if possible and up to overnight

cooked seasoned chicken breasts in pan. — **Step 3: Cook the chicken.**
Heat a medium sauté pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat, add the oil and heat through. Cook the chicken until cooked through on both sides and lightly browned, about 8 minutes total.

chopped seasoned boneless skinless chicken thighs. — **Step 4: Chop chicken.**
Remove to a cutting board and let rest for about 10 minutes. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

cilantro lime rice in mixing bowl. — **Step 5: Make the cilantro rice.**
In a medium mixing bowl toss the rice with the cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and set aside.

ingredients for burrito piled onto tortilla in layers. — **Step 6: Assemble burrito.**
To assemble the burritos, place a warmed tortilla on a clean work surface. Spoon about ½ cup of the cilantro lime rice in the center of the tortilla in a line. Top with ¼ cup of the guacamole followed by ½ cup of the pinto beans. Add the chicken over the top. Spread the chipotle cream over the top followed by the tomatoes. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.

wrapped burrito with golden brown exterior on cutting board. — **Step 7: Fold the burrito.**
To fold the burrito, fold the sides in then use your thumbs to bring up the bottom of the tortilla and keep the sides tucked in. Tightly roll the tortilla away from you using fingers to keep the filling pressed in.

creamy chipotle chicken burrito cut in half with seasoned chicken pinto beans and rice with a side of chips. — **Step 8: Brown and serve burrito.**
Heat a medium cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place the burrito crease-side down in the pan (to keep it intact). Cook until the tortilla is golden brown, about 2 minutes then flip and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

How to Freeze Chicken Burritos

Let the filling cool before assembling. I recommend leaving out fresh ingredients like the guacamole before freezing since it will not reheat well. Wrap each burrito tightly in aluminum foil, then add to a resealable plastic bag to freeze.

To reheat frozen burritos, you can do it in the oven, in a skillet or in the microwave (the fastest method).

Oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC). Place the foil-wrapped frozen burrito directly on the oven rack and heat for 45–50 minutes until warmed through, unwrapping for the last 5 minutes.
Skillet. If you have the time I recommend thawing the burrito in the refrigerator overnight first. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat, unwrap the burrito and add to the pan. Heat until crisp on all sides and warmed through, about 8 minutes total.
Microwave. Remove foil from the frozen burritos and wrap in a damp paper towel. Set on a plate and microwave until completely thawed, about 4 minutes for a frozen burrito. For a crisp outside I recommend finishing it in a skillet for about 1 minute on each side.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make chipotle sauce without mayo?

Yes! While I like the eggy richness that comes from the combination of the mayonnaise with the sour cream it can be swapped for a vegan mayonnaise, or made with only sour cream or swapped for Greek yogurt for a lighter take.

How spicy is chipotle sauce?

I make this sauce for a mild heat but you can easily add 1 to 2 additional chipotles for a medium to hot spice level.

How to keep burritos from getting soggy?

When assembling the burritos, I recommend keeping the sauce in the middle of the layered ingredients. After wrapping the burrito I finish it on a hot cast iron pan so it crisps on all sides. This helps to keep the burrito together while also providing a more stable barrier and keeping it from getting soggy.

How long do assembled burritos last?

In the fridge, assembled burritos last 3 to 4 days. Assembled burritos will keep up to 3 months in the freezer.

Other Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this creamy chipotle chicken burrito I recommend giving these recipes a try:

California Chicken Burrito with Seasoned Fries
Chicken Burrito Bowl
Bacon Breakfast Burrito

Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!